From Livestock to Agrotourism: A Reinvented Heritage

From Livestock to Agrotourism: A Reinvented Heritage

By Aliany Ramos Rosado, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Caribbean Area Earth Team Volunteer and IINSTAR-AS¹member

Photo: Enrique Martínez Loarte, fourth generation dairy farmer from Puerto Rico, and Martínez Dairy manager. (Photo by Némesis Ortiz Declet)

Martínez Dairy was established in 1950, as an agricultural production and cattle raising farm in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico. As agricultural output declined, dairy production emerged. Then, in 1987, Manuel "Ricky" Martínez Arbona inherited the family dairy business. Since his beginnings on the farm, Manuel and his wife, Wanda Loarte, implemented conservation practices following the guidance of USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Currently, their sons Enrique and Pablo Martínez Loarte, the fourth generation, are in charge of the family legacy and they strive towards maintaining these practices because they recognize the importance of conserving natural resources and maintaining "a symbiotic relationship," as Enrique stated it, with the agency.

Photo: Martínez Dairy farm calves. (Photo by Némesis Ortiz Declet)

Enrique and Pablo contribute a unique and innovative approach to the farm. Pablo developed an agrotourism business, welcoming visitors to the farm in 2019 to promote education and provide an unforgettable experience for the public. Martínez Dairy offers everything from weekend tours to yoga and therapy with cows. Pablo is also in the process of developing an ice cream shop with local dairy products and a children's playground for school and family field trips.

Photo: As part a Martínez Dairy tour, you may visit the Nursery and learn about calf development. (Photo by Némesis Ortiz Declet)

With an academic background in agronomy and animal sciences, Enrique is focused on managing the almost 200-acre farm, the daily life of cows, and production. He oversees the grazing, feeding, milking, and maintenance of the cows. Both Pablo and Enrique are key players in developing the business through their diverse passions.

Photo: Enrique is dedicated to ensuring healthy pastures and sustainable grass production at Martínez Dairy. (Photo by Némesis Ortiz Declet)

Throughout its history, Martínez Dairy has faced different challenges, including limited soil quality, which hindered the development and growth of grass on the property, reducing the availability of feed for the cows. Additionally, they have faced difficulties due to atmospheric and extreme environmental events, such as wildfires, excessive rainfall, and droughts. This has increased soil erosion, making the maintenance of the farm's roads difficult. Among the NRCS conservation practices incorporated to overcome these concerns are watering facilities, fences, livestock pipeline, as well as hedgerow, pasture and hay planting, which are still maintained by Enrique and Pablo. Martínez Dairy has also implemented prescribed grazing, which helps improve and maintain the quantity, quality, and balance of forages to meet the cows' nutritional needs.

Photos: The left-side photo shows multiple grazing fields, the greenest ones are in a resting period and separated by electric fences that keep cows grazing in the desired areas, allowing for pasture restoration. The right-side photo shows a contrast between a field that is being used for grazing and one that is in resting mode, with abundant pasture, ensuring a sustainable supply. (Photos by Enrique Martínez Loarte)

Despite other challenges, such as labor shortages, the farm has maintained steady production as well as its relationship with the Tres Monjitas milk processing plant. Currently, the Martínez family has 100 cows in production, all of which have been raised on their farm, producing over 6,500 gallons of milk every fourteen days. They also have a milking robot, which brings significant innovation and increases the efficiency of the farm's operations.

Photo: The Martínez Dairy milking robot has enhanced the milking process, leading to increased efficiency. (Photo by Némesis Ortiz Declet)

Manuel was not only a farmer before he retired, but a pillar of his community who presided over the Puerto Rico Farmers Association's Dairy Sector. Now, after his retirement, his two sons-supported by their wives, Christina Vazquez (Enrique's wife) and Yashira Martínez (Pablo's wife)-are pursuing their passions within the family business. Together, their innovative spirit is enhancing the farm's production and return on investment. Agritourism has been an excellent way to educate the public and show a more transparent perspective on dairy farming, with Pablo in charge of this area, while Enrique is introducing new technology on the farm to increase efficiency. While the Martínez Dairy family has adapted to significant changes through time, one thing that remains constant is their commitment to conservation and to the Puerto Rican dairy farming community.

Photo: Manuel "Ricky" Martínez Arbona and Enrique Martínez Loarte, the third and fourth generations of dairy farmers at Martínez Dairy. (Photo by Némesis Ortiz Declet)

¹ Institute for Innovation in Sustainability Training, Applications and Research in Agri-Environmental Sciences program from the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus. The USDA-NIFA Leading: Leading and Enhancing Agricultural Development in The Next Generation Program, Award 2023-70440-40140.

*Top cows grazing photo by Enrique Martínez Loarte.

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